Epsom Downs Racecourse

Last updated

Epsom Downs
Epsom Downs racecourse from the air (geograph 6378973).jpg
Aerial view of Epsom Downs racecourse
Location Epsom, Surrey, UK
Operated by Jockey Club Racecourses
Date opened1661 (first recorded race)
Screened on Racing TV
Course type Flat
Notable races Epsom Derby
Epsom Oaks
Coronation Cup
Official website

Epsom Downs is a Grade 1 racecourse in a hilly area near Epsom in Surrey, England which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. The "Downs" referred to in the name are part of the North Downs.

Contents

The course has a crowd capacity of 130,000 including people watching from the Epsom Downs, an area freely open to the public. [1] The course is best known for hosting the Derby Stakes, which has come to be widely referred to as The Derby or as the Cazoo Derby for sponsorship reasons, the United Kingdom's premier thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old colts and fillies, over a mile and a half (2400 m). It also hosts the Oaks Stakes (also widely referred to as The Oaks) for three-year-old fillies, and the Coronation Cup for horses aged four years and upwards. All three races are Group 1 races and run over the same course and distance.

The Chairman of the course since 2022 is Brian Finch. [2] The course is owned by the Jockey Club. Queen Elizabeth II attended the Derby in most years of her reign.

History

The first recorded race was held on the Downs in 1661, [3] although a local burial list of 1625 refers to "William Stanley who in running the race fell from his horse and brake his neck" and in some sources racing is recorded as dating from the 1640s, [4] so it is likely that racing was established much earlier than that. [5] Epsom is referenced in the diary of Samuel Pepys in 1663 and Charles II is said to have been a racegoer there. [5] By 1684, Epsom had a clerk of the course and from 1730 was hosting twice yearly race meetings. [5]

At Epsom on 3 May 1769 the famous racehorse Eclipse had the first of his many victories in an undefeated career on the turf.

Epsom Derby; painting by James Pollard, c. 1835 James Pollard - Epsom Races- Preparing to Start - Google Art Project.jpg
Epsom Derby; painting by James Pollard, c. 1835

In the summer of 1779 Edward Smith-Stanley, 12th Earl of Derby, organised a race for himself and his friends to race their three-year-old fillies. He named it the Oaks after his nearby estate. The race became so successful that in the following year 1780 a new race was added for three-year-old colts and fillies—-the Derby. In 1784 the course was extended to its current distance of a mile and a half and Tattenham Corner was introduced. [6]

Henry Dorling, step-father to cookery writer Mrs Beeton, was a Clerk of the Course at Epsom, appointed in 1840. [7]

In 1913 the suffragette Emily Davison threw herself in front of King George V's horse Anmer, bringing him down. Davison was badly injured and died four days later. [8]

In 1952 the racecourse was featured extensively in the film Derby Day set around the 1952 Epsom Derby. [9]

In 2009 the racecourse opened the new Duchess's Stand. It has a capacity of 11,000 and has a 960 m2 (10 000 sq ft) hall. It can be used for banqueting, conferences and exhibitions. The estimated cost of the new stand, which was built by Willmott Dixon, was £23.5 million. [10]

On 4 June 2011, in their first public outing since returning from their Seychelles honeymoon, Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, and his wife, Catherine, (along with the late Queen, William's brother, Prince Harry, and Catherine's parents, Michael and Carole Middleton) attended the 2011 Epsom Derby at the track. [11]

In 2022 the main stand of the racecourse, previously been known as The Queen's Stand, was renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Stand. [12]

Description

Tattenham Corner in 1872, by Gustave Dore Bpt6k10470488 f165.jpg
Tattenham Corner in 1872, by Gustave Doré

The racecourse is between Epsom, Tadworth and Langley Vale. As it is in a public area, people can watch the Derby free, and this meant that the Derby used to be the most attended sporting event of the year. It presents a stern challenge for inexperienced horses and a true test of stamina for those that might previously have contested the 2,000 Guineas Stakes over a mile (1600 m). Unusually, the racecourse is not a circuit but is roughly U-shaped with chutes for the start of sprint races over five, six and seven furlongs. The Derby course features an ascent to the top of the hill followed by a wide, sweeping left turn (Tattenham Corner) as the horses descend towards the straight. The half-mile straight is mainly downhill, with a final sharp ascent in the last hundred yards. Thus the times for the sprint races tend to be much faster than those on flatter tracks. [13] Clockings for the five-furlong course have included 53.6 s (hand-timed) by Indigenous in 1960 and 53.70 s (electrically timed) by Spark Chief in 1983. [14]

Racehorse trainers based in the local area include Simon Dow and Laura Mongan. [15]

The racecourse is served by the Epsom Downs station [16] as well as Tattenham Corner station, which is where the British monarch alights from the Royal Train on race days. [17]

Notable races

MonthMeetingDOWRace NameTypeGradeDistanceAge/Sex
AprilApril MeetingWednesday City and Suburban Handicap FlatHandicap1m 2f 17y4yo+
AprilApril MeetingWednesday Great Metropolitan Handicap FlatHandicap1m 4f 6y4yo+
AprilApril MeetingWednesday Blue Riband Trial Stakes FlatConditions1m 2f 17y3yo
JuneDerbyFriday Woodcote Stakes FlatConditions6f 3y2yo
JuneDerbyFriday The Oaks FlatGroup 11m 4f 6y3yo f
JuneDerbyFriday Coronation Cup FlatGroup 11m 4f 6y4yo+
JuneDerbyFriday Surrey Stakes FlatListed7f 3y3yo
JuneDerbySaturday Princess Elizabeth Stakes FlatGroup 31m 113y3yo+ f
JuneDerbySaturday Diomed Stakes FlatGroup 31m 113y3yo+
JuneDerbySaturday Epsom Dash FlatHandicap5f3yo+
JuneDerbySaturday The Derby FlatGroup 11m 4f 6y3yo c+f
Other races
Views of the Epsom Grandstands

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epsom Derby</span> Flat horse race in Britain

The Derby Stakes, also known as the Derby or the Epsom Derby, is a Group 1 flat horse race in England open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It is run at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey on the first Saturday of June each year, over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and 10 yards, or about 1½ miles. It was first run in 1780.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nijinsky (horse)</span> Canadian-bred Thoroughbred racehorse (1967–1992)

Nijinsky was a Canadian-bred, Irish-trained champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was the outstanding two-year-old in Europe in 1969 when he was unbeaten in five races. In the following season, he became the first horse for thirty-five years to win the English Triple Crown, a feat that has not been repeated as of 2023. He is regarded as one of the greatest European flat racehorses of the 20th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">User Friendly (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

User Friendly is a European Champion Thoroughbred racehorse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Time Charter</span> Thoroughbred racehorse

Time Charter was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won several major middle-distance races between 1982 and 1984. After winning twice as a two-year-old in 1981, she developed into a classic filly in the following year, finishing second in the 1000 Guineas before winning The Oaks in record time. Later that year she won the Sun Chariot Stakes before beating a field of colts and older horses by seven lengths in the Champion Stakes. As a four-year-old she won England's premier weight-for-age race, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and successfully conceded seven pounds to the outstanding French filly All Along in the Prix Foy. In 1984 she recorded an impressive four length victory in the Coronation Cup and was retired from racing at the end of the year having won nine of her twenty races. She later became a very successful broodmare.

Indiana was an Irish-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. In a career which lasted from autumn 1963 until July 1965 he ran thirteen times and won four races. He won the Classic St Leger as a three-year-old in 1964, the same year in which he also won the Chester Vase and the Great Voltigeur Stakes. Indiana also finished second in The Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. He retired from racing and was exported in 1966 to stand as a stallion in Japan. He died in 1983.

Shadayid was an American-bred, British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In a racing career which lasted from June 1990 to November 1991 she ran eleven times winning five races and being placed five times. Shadayid was one of the leading two-year-old fillies in Europe in 1990, winning all three of her races including the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at the Longchamp. After winning the Fred Darling Stakes on her three-year-old debut, Shadayid took her unbeaten run to five by winning the Classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Although she never won again, she finished second in the Coronation Stakes and the Sussex Stakes and third in the Haydock Sprint Cup and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Shadayid was retired from racing to become a broodmare at the end of her three-year-old season after finishing seventh in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Sun Stream was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare, best known for winning two Classics in 1945. The filly won five times from seven races in a track career which lasted from spring 1944 until June 1945. As a two-year-old in 1944 she won three races including the Queen Mary Stakes. After being beaten on her three-year-old debut she won the 1000 Guineas over one mile at Newmarket and a substitute Oaks over one and a half miles at the same course a month later. After her second classic win she was retired to stud, where her record as a broodmare was disappointing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Busybody (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Busybody (1881–1899), was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won two British Classic Races in 1884. In a racing career which lasted from September 1883 until May 1884 she ran six times and won five races. As a two-year-old in 1883 she won her first three races including the Middle Park Plate and the Great Challenge Stakes before sustaining her only defeat when conceding weight to the winner Queen Adelaide in the Dewhurst Stakes. As a three-year-old she won the 1000 Guineas over one mile at Newmarket and The Oaks over one and a half miles at Epsom Downs Racecourse a month later. She was then retired to stud where she became a successful broodmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galata (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Galata (1829–1848) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare who won two British Classic Races in 1831 and the Ascot Gold Cup a year later. In a racing career which lasted from April 1832 until June 1834 the filly ran ten times and won seven races. As a three-year-old in 1832 she won her first four races including the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse and the Oaks Stakes at Epsom Downs Racecourse. In the following year she was unbeaten in two races, winning the Port Stakes at Newmarket and the Gold Cup at Ascot. She was retired to stud after two unsuccessful starts in 1834.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diadem (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Diadem (1914–1931) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse who won the 1000 Guineas in 1917. She went on to become a top sprinter, recording two victories in both the King's Stand Stakes and the July Cup. In total she won 24 of her 39 races. Diadem was bred and owned by Edgar Vincent, 1st Viscount D'Abernon, and trained by George Lambton. The Diadem Stakes at Ascot Racecourse was named after her.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen of Trumps</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Queen of Trumps (1832–1843) was a British thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the classic Oaks and St Leger Stakes in 1835, becoming the first horse to win both races. In a racing career which lasted from October 1834 until October 1836 she won ten of her eleven races. After being successful in her only race as a two-year-old, she defeated the 1000 Guineas winner Preserve in the Oaks on her three-year-old debut. Later that year she started as favourite for the St Leger and won from a field which included Preserve and The Derby winner Mundig. Queen of Trumps sustained her only defeat a few days later when she was attacked by a dog in the closing stages of the Scarborough Stakes. She was retired to stud after winning all four of her races in 1836. Queen of Trumps died in 1843 at the age of eleven. She was described by a contemporary writer as "certainly the most extraordinary mare these our days have seen".

The 2013 Epsom Derby was the 234th annual running of the Derby horse race. It took place at Epsom Downs Racecourse on 1 June 2013.

Master Willie was a British racehorse and sire. As a three-year-old in 1980 he finished second in The Derby and won the Group One Benson and Hedges Gold Cup. In the following year he added victories in the Coronation Cup and Eclipse Stakes before being retired to stud. He stood as a breeding stallion in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany with mixed results before his death in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sallust (horse)</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Sallust (1969–1987) was an Irish-bred British-trained Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He showed good form as a two-year-old in 1971, winning two of his five races including the Richmond Stakes, but appeared to be just below the highest class. He ran poorly on his three-year-old debut but then won the Diomed Stakes, Prix de la Porte Maillot, Sussex Stakes, Goodwood Mile and Prix du Moulin. By decisively defeating opponents such as High Top and Lyphard he established himself as the best specialist miler in Europe and was rated the best three-year-old of 1972 by Timeform. He returned to Ireland for his stud career and had some success as a sire of winners.

Pure Grain was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. In 1994 she won two of her five races including the Prestige Stakes as well as finishing third in the Princess Margaret Stakes and fourth when favourite for the Fillies' Mile. In the following year she emerged as one of the best middle distance fillies of her generation in Europe with wins in the Musidora Stakes, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. She also finished third in The Oaks and fifth in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. After her retirement from racing she had some success as a dam of winners.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minding (horse)</span> Irish Thoroughbred racehorse

Minding is a champion Irish Thoroughbred racehorse who was the 2016 European Horse of the Year after winning the Epsom Oaks, 1000 Guineas, and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Together Forever (horse)</span> Thoroughbred racehorse

Together Forever is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. After being beaten in her first three races she showed significant progress in the autumn of her two-year-old season winning three races of increasing prestige. She followed up a win in a maiden race with a victory in the Listed Staffordstown Stud Stakes before ending her season by taking the Group One Fillies' Mile. She failed to win as a three-year-old but finished second in the Musidora Stakes and fourth in the Irish Oaks. As a broodmare she is the dam of the 2024 Epsom Derby winner City Of Troy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhododendron (horse)</span> Irish-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Rhododendron is an Irish Thoroughbred racehorse. As a two-year-old in 2016 she was rated the joint-best filly of her generation trained in Europe, inferior only to the American filly Lady Aurelia. After finishing second on her racecourse debut she won a maiden race at Goodwood Racecourse and then recorded her first important success when taking the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in August. She was slightly disappointing when finishing third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes but returned to her best in October to win the Fillies' Mile. As a three-year-old she finished second in both the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks before winning the Prix de l'Opéra. As a four-year-old in 2018 she added another major win in the Lockinge Stakes. She made an instant impact as a broodmare, producing the dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin from her first mating.

Frieze was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare best known for winning the 1952 Epsom Oaks. She won her first four races before finishing fourth to Zabara in the 1000 Guineas. She defeated Zabara decisively in the Oaks and won the Yorkshire Oaks later that year. She failed to reproduce her best form in two subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of the year having won seven of her ten starts. She made little impact as a broodmare.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lassie</span> British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Our Lassie was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and broodmare. She was a very good performer as a juvenile in 1902 when she won the Sandown Produce Stakes and was placed in her other three starts. In the following year she failed in the Lincoln Handicap but the recorded a decisive win in the Oaks Stakes. She failed to win or place in four subsequent races and was retired from racing at the end of 1904. As a broodmare she produced a few winners but had her biggest impact on the future of Thoroughbred racing through her unraced daughter Lady Brilliant.

References

  1. ↑ Osborne, Alistair (1 June 2012). "Derby draws record crowds as racecourses buck recession". Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 5 April 2018– via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  2. ↑ "Brian Finch to succeed Julia Budd as Chairman of Epsom Downs". The Jockey Club. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  3. ↑ "History". Epsom Downs Racecourse. Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  4. ↑ Barrett, Norman, ed. (1995). The Daily Telegraph Chronicle of Horse Racing. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Publishing. p. 8.
  5. 1 2 3 Holland 1991, p. 10.
  6. ↑ "Epsom Downs History". Archived from the original on 25 June 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  7. ↑ Beetham, Margaret (2004). "Beeton, Isabella Mary (1836–1865)" (available online through UK public libraries, also in printed form). Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/37172. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  8. ↑ Emily Davison (1872 - 1913) Archived 12 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine BBC History
  9. ↑ Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000
  10. ↑ 'Freak' winds blamed for ripped roof at Epsom Downs racecourse Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian, 10 January 2012
  11. ↑ "Queen's hope to win Derby goes on". BBC News. 4 June 2011. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "The Queen Elizabeth II Stand, Epsom Downs". 20 June 2022.
  13. ↑ "Epsom Downs Course Guide - At The Races". At The Races. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  14. ↑ John Randall (24 December 2005). "Ask the anorak: Raffingora record just one facet of a high-class sprinter". www.thefreelibrary.com. Racing Post. Archived from the original on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  15. ↑ Less, Jon (27 August 2017). "Meet the horses: Epsom stables ready to show off their stars". Racing Post. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  16. ↑ Marius, Callum (8 December 2021). "The peculiar Zone 6 railway station that 'looks like it's in somebody's back garden'". MyLondon. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  17. ↑ Oppitz, Leslie (2002). Lost railways of Surrey. Reading: MRM. p. 131. ISBN   1-85306-771-7.

Bibliography

51°18′35″N0°15′20″W / 51.30972°N 0.25556°W / 51.30972; -0.25556

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.